It will take time to sink in for Steinert supporters and even Mercer County softball fans in general as to just how special the Spartans program has become.
Their stretch of excellence is unparalleled by any other CVC sports program over the past decade, as it includes 10 straight appearances in the sectional finals, seven trips to the state finals and five state championships.
The run started with Jean Ruppert at the helm and Jenn Melker as an assistant. Melker took over in 2019 and since then Steinert is 132-23 (29-3 in state games) with five 20-win seasons, four straight sectional crowns and three straight state titles.
Success like that is more than just the players. Granted, tremendous talent has come through the system but a deep dive into the unprecedented Spartans success goes beyond hits and runs.
There is a cohesion, which in turn makes things more fun, which helps alleviate the pressure of trying to become Mercer County’s (and the state’s) first public school program to win three straight state softball crowns.
And that comes from a coaching staff that cares about its players beyond the field.
Asked what their coaches do for the Spartans, senior catcher Addison Hassan didn’t mince words.
“Everything,” she said. “Literally every single thing.”
Melker is assisted by former Spartan players Gerri “Bear” Leone (the pitching coach) and Carli Backlund, former Nottingham player Sam Dice (JV coach), Maryland transplant Michelle Walsh, who is the top varsity assistant, and Melker’s dad, Mercer Softball Hall of Famer Mike Melker.
There is a chemistry within the staff that carries over to the team.
“They have such a great bond and that creates a great bond with us,” junior shortstop Mia Pope said. “The coaches work so well together and that inspires the team and players to work so well. That is a fluid thing for us and it really helps us.”
Melker makes sure to work with people she likes, for she understands that the coaches behavior can have an effect.
“It helps when you’re all on a united front,” she said. “They see how passionate we are as a staff for each other and that transcends with the kids. They know they have the full support.
“One kid can’t always resonate with one coach. Having what we have — the ability of these girls to find the coach they relate to, whether it’s me or Walsh or whoever — means they always have someone on their side and there for them.”
Coaches of all sports in all states at all levels talk about the chemistry and bond of their teams but sometimes it’s just lip service. With Steinert, it’s gospel. Melker will not abide by an assistant who makes winning the only priority.
“It’s about building relationships with them,” the coach said. “It’s having them know ‘We care about you and it’s not just about softball. We care about you as individuals.’ It’s a buy-in factor of building that chemistry with them. It’s not just about softball but to be a part of other things in their lives as well. When you talk to them, they know you’re talking to them as a person, you’re not just talking to get a win.”
Senior pitcher Katie Simonka recalled when she first entered the program as a freshman, the introduction conversation never included wins and losses.
“They just said that when you’re wearing that jersey to play for each other and to play with pride and humbleness and just have fun,” Simonka said. “They always preach to have fun and enjoy the game because you never know when the next game will be your last. Eventually it all comes together and creates what happened for us.”
The players knew that the coaches faith in them was legitimate. It was that kind of connection, as much as anything, that allowed a talented group of players to fend off the immense pressure of making history.
“It’s a matter of clearing your head and that’s hard to do,” Melker said. “But they buy in. That transfers back to the relationship and believing and buying in on what we’re trying to preach. It’s not a matter of trying to win this game, it’s a matter of ‘I know you have the ability to do that.’ This game is 80 percent mental.”
Melker tapped into that mentality during the bus ride up to Ivy Hill Park for the state finals. She put together a book of different quotes concerning positive mentality that they could read if they chose.
“I try to do the mindset and not rely on just the ability,” Melker said. “I tell them that when we huddle up. I tell them, ‘Everybody practices, puts in reps, puts in tee work. What puts us ahead is that you guys work hard on the mental part.’
“I make them answer me when I say ‘Where is your head at, what can bring you out of this?’ if something is going wrong. Every kid has a different answer. You have to focus on what works for each girl and it’s not the same. It’s not copy and paste. Their ability is there; it’s not going away. They need to focus on the mental block and how to get out of it.”
Every player, of course, has to be dealt with uniquely.
“Do I need to be harder on them?” Melker continued. “Do they work better when things are light and we’re laughing? You have to learn your players and buy into what they need.”
Melker didn’t make her quote book required reading on the bus ride. But at least one player bought in.
“I read the whole thing,” Pope said. “She’s amazing with that kind of stuff. Always making us feel calm and not too over-pressured. She knows about our ability, but those booklets just tell us what we have to keep in our minds every day. We also know our ability and what to do. We just have to play relaxed and be there for each other. Our coaches love to remind us of that.
“Our coaches always have a smile on their face. You can see it. Even if we’re down 10-0 they’re smiling. That’s really the beauty of our team.”
And the secret sauce that makes a talented team a championship team.
Steinert softball coaches Michelle Walsh, Gerri “Bear” Leone, Mike Melker, head coach Jenn Melker, Sam Dice and Carli Backlund. (Photo by Amanda Ruch.),
